Environment

FG to Implement UN Framework On Environment Statistics -Official

Published

13 years ago

July 31, 2013

The Federal Ministry of Environment is set to implement the UN framework for the development of environmental statistics in the country, an official of the ministry has said.

Deputy Director, Research and Statistics in the ministry, Mr Philip Bankole, said this in an interview with newsmen in Abuja recently.

Bankole said that the ministry would soon set up some committees to implement the framework.

He said that the framework contained a comprehensive list of environmental statistics and indicators for tracking sustainable development in all sectors of the economy.

Bankole said Nigeria was a party to the development of the framework which was recently approved by the UN Statistical Commission.

“The environment needs to be monitored every now and then to know how sustainable it will be, how habitable it will be because when we destroy the environment, it will have impact on our own wellbeing.

“So, what the environment statistics tries to do is to monitor the state of the environment to know what is happening and what is causing the distortion in environment.

“Environment statistics cuts across several issues; whatever you are doing as human beings, you are either exploiting from the resources of the environment or depleting it or you are polluting it.

“Even from your vehicles, the emission to the air is causing pollution; your generator in the house is causing air pollution and so on, all those are things that are of interest in environmental statistics issues,’’ he said.

Bankole said the framework was developed by experts across the globe, adding that only three experts were drawn from Africa, including Nigeria.

According to him, the use of the framework in national statistics systems will enhance development in the sector, as both a multi-purpose and flexible tool that can be tailored to specific environmental policy concerns.

“Now, this framework that has just been developed by the UN with a group of experts is now given to countries to see how they can use the framework, use the indicators in it to gather statistics that will tell them the state of environment in their countries.

“Some of these environmental issues are cross cutting issues, what is happening in one country may affect others, when it comes to the issues of climate change, it is trans-boundary.

“Basically, the essence is to be sure that our environment can still sustain us, not only us, but be able to sustain future generations. So, we owe it a duty to protect the environment for future generations.

“That is how the issue of sustainable development comes in and in this framework, you have indicators and statistics to be generated,’’ he said.

The deputy director, however, said that the ministry would organise a two-day national conference between July 31 and August 1 to fashion out strategies for the application of the framework in Nigeria.

He said that the conference would be organised in collaboration with the UN Development Programme (UNDP).

Bankole said the expected outcome of the meeting would be to identify the Ministries, Departments and Agencies that would be responsible for the generation of relevant statistics for the list of the indicators in the framework.

Environment

LWC, Julius Berger seek stronger coordination on Lagos infrastructure

Published

1 hour ago

August 17, 2026

The Tide

The Lagos Water Corporation (LWC) has commenced discussions with Julius Berger Nigeria Plc to strengthen coordination between water and road infrastructure projects.

This is contained in a statement issued by the corporation.

The corporation said the engagement followed a courtesy and familiarisation visit led by its Managing Director, Mr Mukhtaar Tijani, to Julius Berger’s Ijora office.

It said the visit was aimed at strengthening institutional relations and creating opportunities for deeper collaboration between both organisations.

The corporation stressed the importance of cordial relationships with neighbouring organisations and strategic stakeholders to promote future collaboration.

The meeting focused on road construction, water pipeline protection, water infrastructure development and sustainable water supply across Lagos Island and its environs.

Both organisations highlighted the need for early communication and technical coordination to prevent conflicts between road projects and existing water infrastructure.

Julius Berger Regional Commercial Manager, Region West, Mr Alexander Bauer, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to sustainable engineering solutions rather than short-term fixes.

Bauer stressed the importance of early stakeholder engagement and proper coordination before construction activities begin.

The meeting also examined access to project drawings and technical information required to improve coordination between water and road infrastructure projects.

Julius Berger explained that releasing detailed project drawings remained subject to approval from the appropriate client.

Both organisations therefore agreed on the need to engage the Lagos State Government to secure necessary approvals and strengthen technical collaboration.

The discussions also focused on accurate pipeline information and its importance in planning future water infrastructure and urban development projects.

The LWC delegation raised concerns about uncoordinated borehole drilling and its potential effects on groundwater resources and the ecosystem.

Participants noted that stronger public water supply systems could reduce dependence on individual boreholes and help protect underground water resources.

Construction & Maintenance

They also agreed on the importance of sharing information on construction activities, road conditions, project schedules and potential disruptions.

Security and community considerations were also discussed, with Julius Berger highlighting its engagement with relevant authorities on security infrastructure within the area.

The meeting ended with a shared commitment to open communication, stronger technical coordination and exploring further opportunities for collaboration.

The engagement is expected to strengthen synergies between water and road infrastructure planning and support resilient and sustainable infrastructure development across Lagos.

Environment

IYD: Climate experts advocate investment in African youth

Published

1 hour ago

August 17, 2026

The Tide

Some Climate Experts across Africa have called for investment in African youth to enhance future security.

They made the call on Wednesday during a webinar organised by Planet, People and Peace Foundation (PPPF), a non-governmental organisation, to observe 2026 International Youth Day (IYD).

According to them, there is a need to invest, listen and create opportunities for young African people.

The Tide source reports that the 2026 theme of the IYD is “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations’’.

Miss Bisi Kumuyi, the Secretary, Climate Beyond Border Caravan (CBBC), Nigeria, who canvassed for investment in youth, said the future of Africa would be determined by the opportunities the continent created for its young people today.

The CBBC, an initiative of PPPF, is a pan-African, youth-led campaign promoting climate action, cross-border cooperation and green economic transformation across the continent.

‘‘As Africa joins the rest of the world to commemorate International Youth Day on Aug. 12, 2026, we celebrate the energy, creativity, resilience and determination of young Africans who continue to shape the continent’s present and future.

‘‘This year’s theme reminds us that young people across Africa live in different social, economic and cultural circumstances.

‘‘They share common aspirations: access to quality education, decent employment, innovation, peace, inclusion, environmental sustainability and opportunities to fulfil their potential,’’ she said.

Also speaking, Mrs Nouran Farouk, an Egyptian Climate Activist, called for urgent investment in Africa’s youth.

According to her, Africa is the world’s youngest continent, and its youthful population represented one of its greatest assets.

Environment

PWDs: CCD Unveils Report On Climate Change Impacts, Urges Implementation

Published

1 hour ago

August 17, 2026

The Tide

The Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) has unveiled a research report on impacts of climate change on Persons With Disabilities (PWDs), calling for its implementation in the country.

The Acting Director CCD, Mr Godwin Unumeri, made the call at the public presentation of the report titled: “Disability-Inclusive Greenhouse Gas Emission and Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation in Nigeria” on Wednesday in Lagos.

The event brought together government institutions, development partners, civil society organisations, persons with disabilities and other key stakeholder to foster dialogue, collaboration and stronger commitment to disability-inclusive climate change adaptation and mitigation in Nigeria.

Unumeri urged stakeholders to strengthen collaboration and policy commitment toward building climate resilience and ensuring the inclusion of persons with disabilities in Nigeria’s climate response.

He noted that valuable insights and recommendations from stakeholders at a validation workshop in February had been incorporated into the report.

According to him, effective implementation of the recommendations requires sustained collaboration, strong policy commitment, adequate resource mobilisation and coordinated action across sectors.

“By working together, we can translate these findings into practical interventions that strengthen climate resilience and ensure the full inclusion of persons with disabilities in Nigeria’s climate response,” he said.

In her remarks, the General Manager, Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA), Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal, urged the stakeholders to ensure that the report would be translated into practical interventions to enhance full inclusion of PWDs particularly in climate change policies.